I have a 3.4 GPA. Should I not even dream about CRNA school

Will my GPA of 3.4 even make the cut for CRNA school? I just know its not enough to compete with others who are vying for a seat in a CRNA program everywhere.
But at the same time I am hopeful that I could get into CRNA school.
I just dont want to end up working so hard taking all the other required classes and other prerequisites to apply and then get rejected. It would just feel worthless.
I have so much more questions regarding CRNA schools and applications, but this one has been bothering me so much.

This post ("I know it's not enough...but I'm hopeful anyway") makes me think you're looking for cheerleaders, which I am not. I don't understand this defeatist attitude. Work on your tenacity, if anything.

Nov 6, '17

Your GPA is only one of the many things admissions committees look at for acceptance to CRNA school, do your research and make sure you do well on the other many things they will be looking at for acceptance into their program.

Nov 10, '17

It won't keep you out, but the rest of the application will need to be strong.

Nov 10, '17

The thing about CRNA school is that if you want it bad enough and you're passionate about a career in anesthesia, a GPA of 3.4 won't keep you out of school. If you want a higher GPA, go back and retake some classes that brought your GPA down. Otherwise, like loveanesthesia said - make the rest of your application strong. Be involved in local, state, and national organizations such as unit councils and AACN. Take prerequisites, put the work in, and show them how badly you want it. You have to keep a good attitude or you won't get anywhere. Good luck with your goals!

Nov 17, '17

I had all Cs in my science classes from like 10 years ago. Did ok when I went back for my BSN. I graduated with a 3.5 gpa but my overall gpa was closer to a 3.2 or so because of the Cs. I'm starting a DNAP program next summer. My gpa wasn't great but like other people have said it's just one piece of the application. I got my CCRN and CMC. Had good experience in a high acuity CVICU/CMICU, was on code team, took charge a lot, met with the anesthesia board members at my prospective school personally, shadowed at multiple places with very different anesthesia care models, and researched the field extensively. Also I had better answers to "why anesthesia?" than "autonomy and money." Do your research and work hard and you'll get in. Its a highly skilled, highly respected profession, not just a job. Take it seriously and treat it as such and you'll be fine. That's pretty much all there is to it.

Nov 18, '17

Well, school does not get easier when you start CRNA school, and it is science intensive. Ask yourself, honestly, why you did not do well in some classes, and decide if that can be improved. Maybe you got sick, had a child, had to move, had money problems,etc, if not, maybe you should look elsewhere. I don't undertand quitting your current job, paying tens of thousands of dollars, maybe moving, all just to drop out after one semester. You have to be honest and objective with yourself. Certainly, take a graduate level statistics course, or chemistry course, or physiology course, and let that be your guide.

I also would urge you NOT to apply to the big, giant, puppy mill programs. Of course they may accept you. They have a few hundred initial spots, so what do they have to lose? Apply to a smaller, leaner school, where, if you get accepted, you can be certain they feel that you will have what it takes to make it. Again, starting school is a major, life changing event. Just because you want it really badly does not mean you will succeed. Do away with some of the guess work.

Good luck.

Nov 19, '17

I have 2 friends from nursing school that made it into CRNA school with GPAs around 3.0-3.1. Granted, one failed out of school with a "C." But the other friend graduated just fine.

Just know that you'll have to check off all the boxes like GRE, CCRN, ACLS, PALS, good ICU experience, etc.

Nov 19, '17

Remember the end goal is not getting into a program it's completing a program and passing boards. People are graduating from programs and sometimes never passing boards. Not many but it happens. By the stats in the example above 1of 2 failed out of a program and have to pay the expenses of a program on an RNs salary.

Nov 22, '17

3.4 will be fine.. just make your application strong in other ways.. maybe take some masters level courses and see how you do!